18 Şubat 2013 Pazartesi

Vermont State Fish

Vermont State Fish

Brook Trout (common name)Salvelinus fontinalis (scientific name)

Overview

The brook trout is a smaller and thinner member of the salmon family that is primarily confined to freshwater. It is a highly prized sport fish and considered one of the most flavorful of all edible fishes. The brook trout was adopted as the state cold-water fish of Vermont in 1978. It is the state fish of several states: Virginia (1993), Pennsylvania (1970), Michigan (1988), New Hampshire (1994), New Jersey (1991), New York (1975), and West Virginia (1973).

The coloration of the brook trout is a beautiful greenish brown with a marbled pattern all over, red and blue dots along its flank, and a reddish belly. Brook trout that live in the ocean or in large lakes are much bigger than their stream-dwelling cousins and are more blue or green on the back with silver cheeks, flanks, and belly. Coloration deepens during spawning, and breeding males also develop a hooked lower jaw.

Close-up

STATUS

Official

PHYSICAL DETAILS

Length: Up to 34 in (86 cm); average of 12 in (30 cm)Weight: Up to 14.5 lbs (6.6 kg); average of 1 lb (450 g)

LIFESPAN

Up to 5 years

HABITAT

Brook trout live in clear and cold spring-fed streams, lakes, and ponds.

Range: Native to eastern North America from the Hudson Bay and Labrador Peninsula in the north, west to Minnesota and southeast to eastern Iowa and Georgia. In the Allegheny and Appalachian Mountains, brook trout are increasingly confined to higher elevations.Water type: FreshwaterWater temp: 53-56°F (12-13°C)Conservation Status: Secure

DIET

REPRODUCTION

Fertilization: ExternalSpawning frequency: Late Summer or AutumnMating behavior: Distinct and group pairingEgg laying: The female digs multiple depressions (redds) in the gravel of a small stream, where she lays 100–5,000 eggs for one or more males to fertilize with his milt. The female then buries the eggs in a small gravel mound, and they hatch in approximately 100 days. Adults do not guard the nest.

USES

Game fish, aquaculture

OTHER NAMES

TRIVIA

Native brook trout started disappearing from North American streams as early as the late 1800s as streams became polluted, dammed, or too warm. Competition from smallmouth bass, perch, brown trout, and rainbow trout also accelerated their decline.

Click to enlarge an image

Detailed Drawing of Brook Trout

Colorful Brook Trout

Brook Trout Fingerling

Brook Trout Surfacing for Insects

Brook Trout Habitat

CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum:

Chordata

Class:

Actinopterygii

Order:

Salmoniformes

Family:

Salmonidae

Genus:

Salvelinus

Species:

S. fontinalis

Raw Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Author: World Trade Press

Vermont State Fish

Walleye (common name)Sander vitreus (scientific name)Status: official

Overview

The walleye is a large freshwater perch (not a pike, as is commonly thought) with a long, olive-colored and gold-flecked body. There is a distinct black mark on its dorsal fin, and its tail has a white tip on the lower fork. It is a highly prized sport fish due to its size, fighting ability, and flavorful meat. Walleyes migrate to suitable spawning grounds, sometimes as far as 100 miles away. The walleye was designated the official state warm water fish of Vermont in 1978. It is also the state fish of Minnesota and South Dakota.

Close-up

PHYSICAL DETAILS

Length: Up to 42 in (107 cm); average of 36 in (90 cm)Weight: Up to 22 lbs (10 kg); average of 11 lbs (5 kg)

LIFESPAN

Up to 26 years

HABITAT

Large, cool lakes and rivers with low to moderate clarity and sand or gravel bottoms.

Range: Throughout Canada and in the United States from the Dakotas to Arkansas, east to North Carolina, and up the Atlantic Coast to Maine. The walleye has been widely introduced all over the U.S.Water type: FreshwaterWater temp: 65-75°F (18-24°C)Elevation: Down to 89 feet (27 m)Conservation Status: Secure

DIET

Young walleye eat insect larvae and plankton. As they mature they switch to insects and then fish like yellow perch, ciscoes, and freshwater drum. They also eat insects, crayfish, snails, leeches, worms, mudpuppies, crayfish, frogs, snails, and even small mammals like mice.

REPRODUCTION

Fertilization: ExternalSpawning frequency: April to JuneMating behavior: Several males will pursue females in the evening and circle them repeatedly with their fins erect.Egg laying: A female lays up to 500,000 eggs. The eggs adhere to rocky lake bottoms in relatively shallow water, where they are dusted by the male’s milt to become fertilized. The "fry" hatch after 20 days. Adults do not protect or care for the eggs or fry.

USES

Game fish, commercial fish

OTHER NAMES

Walleyed pike, jackfish, doré, dory, blue walleye, yellow walleye

TRIVIA

The name walleye refers to the large, milky pupils of the fish that reflect light back (like cat’s eyes) due to crystalline matter in the retina. These pupils allow the fish to see in dark, murky waters.

People in Minnesota eat more walleye than residents of any other state.